Toe-stretcher.



Gl SPERZBL.

Ton STRETGHBB. APPLICATION FILED APB.A 28, 1906.

,907,533 u Patented Dec. 22, 1908.

T.. l C@ QQ UNITED STATES PATENT FEICE.

GEORGE SPERZEL, OF DARBY, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO WILLIAM H. HORN & BROTHER, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, A FIRM.

TOE-STRETCHER.

Specication of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 22, 1908.

Application led April 28, 1906. Serial No. 314,181.

.To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE SPERZEL, acitizen of the United States, residing in Darby, Delaware county, Pennsylvania, have invented certain Improvements in Toe-Stretchers, of which the following is a specification.

One object of my invention is to provide a simple and inexpensive device for spreading apart the toe portion of a pair of wooden sections forming a last used to stretch or enlarge the front of a shoe, which device shall be of such a nature as to not readily get out of order or require attention.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the general character above noted in which the wedge-sha ed piece for spreading the toe portion of tie last block shall be provided with projecting lugs constructed to lit into properly placed grooves in the last block sections in order that said sections may be drawn together, after being spread apart, when the wedge-shaped piece is properly drawn back.

These objects I attain as hereinafter set forth, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l, is a side elevation of one of the last block halves or sections, showing my invention as applied thereto, Fig. 2, is a section taken on the line 2 2, Fig. 1, and Fig. is a vertical section taken on the line 3-8,

In the above drawings, A and A are two halves or sections constituting a last block for stretching lthe front of a shoe and these are permanently connected by a hinge a,

which is fastened to the respective ends of' said sections.

Extending in a recess formed equally in each of the sections is an elongated screw B entering a nut b provided with lateral extensions b each iitting into a suitable recess in one of the sections A and A. Said screw has swiveled to its end a wedge-shaped piece C, designed to operate in a suitable recess within the two sections and provided with two lugs c projecting downwardly from its lower surface. For the accommodation of these lugs there are inclined grooves or slots a', of which a portion is formed in the section A and another portion in the section A. Both portions of the said groove end are opposite each other on the adjacent faces of the two sections A and A and from such point of opening they extend rearwardly in straight lines at relatively acute angles to the center line of the last block.

Under operating conditions, when the screw B is turned, the wedge-shaped piece C is moved forwardly in its recess a2 and forces apart the forward or toe ends of the last block sections, thereby spreading the toe of the shoe in which said block is inserted. After such an o eration, if it is desired to draw together t e ends of the sections in order to withdraw the block, the reverse motion of the screw moves the wedge piece into its recess and by reason of the fact that the downwardly extending lugs c engage the sides of the grooves a, the last block sections A and A are turned on their hinge a and positively drawn together. It will be seen that with this arrangement of parts there is practically nothing to become deranged, orA

to get out of order, even though the screw B be turned farther than is necessary when moved either backward or forward. Moreover, the device is of a relatively simple construction as well as inexpensive to manufacture.

I claim as my invention:

A last block made in two halves hinged together at their rear ends and provided with an internal recess having in one face two diverging cam grooves extending at an angle to its longitudinal axis so as to terminate adjacent to the median plane of the last block, a wedge-shaped piece operative in the recess for causing separation of the toe portions of the last block sections, two relatively short lugs projecting from the opposite sides of the rear end of said wedge piece, said lugs respectively fitting into said cam grooves and placed to act on the sides of the same to draw together the parts of the block when the wedge piece is moved inwardly, a nut for the last block having trunnions whereby it is movably supported by the two halves of the same, and a screw passing through said nut and swiveled to said wedge piece.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

GEORGE SPERZEL.

Witnesses:

WM. E. SHUPE, Jos. H. KLEIN. 

